Portsmouth V Northampton at Fratton Park : Match Preview

28 December 2013 02:01

Bondz N'Gala returns from suspension for Portsmouth's clash with Northampton.

But the defender may have to settle for a place on the bench after Pompey collected their first win under new boss Richie Barker on Boxing Day, beating Dagenham 1-0.

Romain Padovani was handed his first start since August by Barker and responded with the winning goal so he is set to keep his place in midfield.

Simon Ferry and Marcos Painter went off with knocks against the Daggers and will be checked over while Shaun Cooper (hamstring), Andy Barcham (thigh) and Tom Craddock (knee) are set to miss out again.

Izale McLeod is doubtful for managerless Northampton while Darren Carter misses out due to suspension.

On-loan striker McLeod will be assessed having been forced off due to injury shortly after half-time in the 1-0 Boxing Day defeat at Burton - Andy King's first match as caretaker boss following the sacking of Aidy Boothroyd.

Midfielder Carter picked up his fifth booking of the season at the Pirelli Stadium and now serves an automatic one-match suspension.

Mathias Kouo-Doumbe, Ian Morris and Clive Platt have been ruled out for around a month due to injury and again miss out, joining long-term absentees Kelvin Langmead (knee), Lewis Hornby (back) and Alex Nicholls (broken leg) on the sidelines.